2019

Survival Kit for Success

Achieve your long-term career goals by fulfilling basic needs

by Teresa Whitacre

Most of us will not get a golden parachute. But
we can create our own version of a golden parachute in the form a survival
kit—actions we can take to ensure success at our current job or in
finding a new one.

The employment process is a two-way street.
By understanding the basic needs of an employer or organization, we can
determine how to fulfill our needs at the same time. How you fill the needs of
your organization is just as important as how your needs are met in performing
work for your employer.

Remember the basics

When
thinking about basic needs in your career, think of Abraham Maslow’s hierarchy
of needs and how it applies to succeeding at your current job or finding a new
one.

In Maslow’s hierarchy, basic needs for
survival include food, shelter, clothing and warmth, protection, security and
stability. Higher needs are belongingness, personal growth and fulfillment.
Maslow’s theory illustrates that if we don’t have the basics, such as food,
water and warmth, we can’t move to the next step.

Keeping
ourselves healthy—physically, mentally, emotionally and
spiritually—is one of the important basic steps in obtaining and
maintaining the relationship with an employer. If you are currently or have
been out of work for an extended period of time, you know how draining it can
be—physically, emotionally and financially. Think about what you can do
to keep yourself in top shape. It’s important for your career.

Impressions are important no matter when
and where they occur. Physical appearance aside, the way you communicate with
those around you is important, no matter what the situation. Verbal or written communication, as well as body language, matter in personal
settings. Often, personal contacts or relationships lead to professional
opportunities.

Create what you want

It’s
tempting and quite common to blame the economic climate for a lack of
employment opportunities. Rather than blame the economy, consider the
possibility that the techniques used in a job search don’t work as well during
difficult economic times as they do during a thriving economy. The economy is
just a factor telling us that our techniques need to change to meet the
conditions.

Many industries have needs to fill but
often cannot find qualified individuals who are capable of filling those needs.
You can survive in the job search jungle by constantly keeping your skills up
with the market. If you haven’t done that lately, you can still be a survivor.
Inventory your skills and how you can market those skills to prove you fit the
needs of an organization. Focus on what you have, not what you don’t. What can
you do, or what have you done? How can you demonstrate that?

Create
what you need or want to replace what you cannot get. Your
survival—whether related to basic human needs or job skills—is
often up to you. If you cannot find the employment opportunity you want or
need, then it is time to create your own path.

I speak from experience, having created my
own path more than once. I applied for work with organizations, even though I
felt I was better suited for something other than what they were advertising.
They wouldn’t have known I existed had I not taken the chance.

Think about your needs in terms of an
employment relationship. Are you looking for a career move? Career advancement?
A close commute? Strictly some income to pay your bills?
After you determine what you need, you can work toward creating something to
fulfill that need.

Excuses
and hurdles abound if you let them get in the way. Think about all the reasons
you allow to stand in the way of getting what you want: too old, too young,
over or under qualified, over or under educated, physical appearance, medical
history or financial history.

Your
view of yourself affects the image you portray and how others view you. Making
sure your basic needs are met and knowing how to use your skills to meet the
needs of the employer will help you survive in a job search or succeed at the
job you already have.

Teresa Whitacre is a quality assurance manager in Pittsburgh
and a principal in Marketech Systems. She has a
bachelor’s degree in organizational management from Ashford University in
Clinton, IA, as well as ASQ certifications as a quality auditor, engineer,
manager and Six Sigma Green Belt. Whitacre is the
chair for ASQ’s Pittsburgh section, instructor for the section’s certified
quality inspector refresher course and deputy regional director for ASQ Region
8. She is an ASQ fellow.